Connection Group Leader Notes: May 2-8, 2021
Connection Group Leader Notes: May 2-8, 2021
Dear Big Idea Group Leader,
Thank you for your willingness to dig into the Word of God and bring to life the Sunday message. The following outline and questions below are not designed that you need to answer each question, but created to be more of a guide for your journey of discovery! You will still need to look into the text, study, and be ready to take your group of friends to a place where they can know what God is saying, and how they can respond.
Each Group should end with the question, "What are we going to do with what we have learned?"
Brighton Heights
Open
1. Do you tend to be a risk taker, or play it safe? Why? Can you share an example?
Dig
Numbers 32:1-5
1. Can you relate with the tribes of Reuben and Gad?
2. Have you ever bargained with God as they did?
Acts 20:24
1. Paul was so devoted to his assignment. How do you think he was able to do this?
2. “My life is worth nothing to me if I do not fulfill my assignment.”
a) What is your assignment(s) from God?
b) Have you ever felt this spiritual pressure like Paul to be obedient to God?
Acts 18:9-10
1. Though in our culture we do not sense fear for our lives in sharing gospel, we do feel fear of rejection, etc. How do you deal with this?
2. Paul got a prophetic word from God to help him. Why do you think he got this specific encouragement?
You Need a Steady Diet of….who is Jesus? Why do I believe in Jesus? What is my assignment?
1. How important are these to you?
2. Which one do you need the most?
1 Corinthians 9:24
1. Would God say you are running to win today?
2. Do you worry about what God will say to you when He judges your stewardship of your life?
Review
What do you need to change to fulfill your assignment?
Murrysville
Isaiah 43:1
Take some time to share what life was like before you were saved or consider what life would be like if you had not been called to redemption and salvation by the Lord.
What are some names, characteristics, or attributes of God that stand out to you?
What name of God do you need to focus on in this season?
-El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) 7 times Gen 17:1
-El Elyon (The Most High God) 28 times 19x in Psalms
-Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) Ex 17:15
-Jehovah Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) Psalm 23
-Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Ex 15:26
-El Olam (The Everlasting God) The God of Eternity, The God of the Universe, The God of Ancient Days Gen 21:33
-Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Gen 22:14
-Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Judges 6:24
In what ways can we accomplish our GOAL this week?
God First
Philippians 1:20-24
Others before self
Philippians 2:2-5
Attitude of Christ
Philippians 2:5-8
Live for eternity
Philippians 1:27
Philippians 2:10-11
Take time to reflect on Philippians 2:10-11
North Braddock
Open
• What are some social or cultural issues that seem to be prominent or prevalent today?
o What are some ideologies, philosophies, opinions, or mindsets that make those issues prominent?
• Pastor Rick has said “There is a battle going on for the soul of Jesus’ Church?” What do you think he means?
o What are some areas of or ramifications from this “battle” that you can see?
o How is it affecting the Church: at large, in BCC, and in general?
Dig
• Who was Balaam?
o A powerful prophet who had relationship with Yahweh (the LORD)
▪ Who is Yahweh?
▪ Why is this name for God more significant than any of the others? (it is His covenant name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3; different from “El” – God, “Elohim” – God/god/gods, “Adoni” – Hebrew word for “Lord” used by Jews so as not to profane or misuse the name Yahweh/LORD)
• Where is his “story” found in the Bible?
o Numbers 22-24
o He is also mentioned, as a negative illustration, in 2 Peter 2:15-16 and Revelation 2:14
▪ (For more context on these New Testament passages about Balaam, feel free to read all of 2 Peter 2 and Revelation 2:12-17
• Why did Balak, king of Moab send for Balaam? (Numbers 22:3-6)
o What was God’s response to Balak’s request for Balaam’s assistance?
▪ How many times does Balak ask Balaam to come?
o Under what circumstances does God change His mind? (see Numbers 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:28-29)
• What are some of the reasons God may have released Balaam to go?
o God’s permission does NOT mean God has “sanctioned” it
▪ Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should
▪ See 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23
o God will ultimately give us what we want
▪ God will give those who delight in Him what their heart desires(Psalm 37:4)
▪ And we will also “turn over” those who reject Him to the sinful outcomes of their sinful desires (Romans 1:21-28)
o It was ultimately a part of God’s ultimate plan
▪ God was going to bless Israel one way or another – but Balaam’s decision to NOT obey God’s initial “No” provided an opportunity to make an example out of rebellious Balaam (see 2 Peter 2)
▪ Proverbs 16:4, 1-2, and 25 give insight into how God’s perfect plan is better than, or can still be brought to fruition…in spite of our poor human decisions
Reflect/Just Do It
• Balaam’s donkey did 3 things to try and stop Balaam moving forward. What were they, and how do they reflect ways God tries to “get our attention” and get us “back on track”?
o Redirection – the donkey went off the road into a field
o Pressure and Pain – the donkey pressed Balaam’s leg up against the wall of a vineyard
o Halt of forward progress – the donkey laid down in the middle of a “narrow path”
• How do the areas of the donkey’s “actions” correspond to things God wants us to focus on rather than “going the wrong direction”?
o Field = the Harvest – God wants us focused on souls (see John 4:35; Matthew 9:36-38; Luke 10:2)
o Vineyards = New Wine – God has an “outpouring” of “new wine” that requires a departure from “old wineskins”
o Laying down = Rest (Hebrews 4:11) – God has prepared for us a place of “rest” where we find the strength to accomplish all He has for us
White Oak
Open
Describe a time in your life when you didn’t know what the next step was going to be. How did you handle it?
Dig
Read Proverbs 3:1-6 NLT
How can I find peace? ( Vs. 1-2)
How do I form good relationships? (Vs. 3-4)
How do I find direction for life?
REFLECT JUST DO IT
What are you going to do moving forward?
How are you going to purposefully do the following?
BE with GOD (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
TALK with GOD (Jeremiah 33:3 NLT)
LISTEN to GOD (Luke 11:28 NLT)
THANK GOD (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)